Key-ejector mechanism



Feb. 4, E930. A. E. MILLER El' Al.

KEY `EJECTOR MECHANISM Filed Dec. 27, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 4, 1930. A. E. MILLER ET AL KEY EJECTOR MECHANISM 2 sneetslsneet 2 Filed Dec. 2'7, 1927 Cha/les John son v Patented Feb. 4, 193e y.UISJITED "STATI-:s PATENT carica mmm n. MILLER. AND cmnns n; JOHNSON, or sacmnnnmcnmronnm IEY-ianze'ron. nncnamsm application meaneoember 21, 1927. ser-m1 No. 242,813#

Our invention relates to keys and has particular reference to a selfejecting key comprising mechanism whereby the key will be ejected from a lock after functioning to eiect 5 the locking or unlocking of the same.

An object of our invention is to rovide an ejector mechanism directly associated with lthe key, which will function to eject the key from the lock without necessitating a change or modification of the standard lock casing or its associatedparts.

A further object of our invention is to provide a self-ejecting key having mechanism associated therewith which will permit the key to be readily inserted within a lock to 4efectlthe unlocking of the` same and AWhich will permit the key to remain inserted Within the lock when the mechanism ithereof is in unlocked position but vWhich will forcibly eject the key from the lock casing when the key is turned to return the mechanism thereof to locked position, thus preventing the possibility of unintentionally leaving the key within the lock when the mechanism is in the locked position.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a self-ejecting key including mechanism adapted to eject the key from the lock, said mechanism being simple in construction,

reliable in operation, relatively easy and mexpensive to manufacture, and 'highly eiiicient in the purpose for which. designed.'

the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification and in which is shown several preferred 'embodiments of our invention, j

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a lock Acasing of a well lmown construction, showing our improvement in self-ejecting keys about to disclosure the lock is assumed to be in locked position.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of our self-ejecting key showing the spring, spring cylinder' and operating sleeve.

Fig. 3 isl a vertical sectional view on the -line 3--3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a lock casing of well known construction, showing a modiv tied formof our self-ejecting key about to be be inserted therein, it being noted that in this inserted therein, it .being noted that in this disclosure the lock is assumed to be in locked position.

r Fi 5 is a vertical sectional view of the modified form of our .invention shown in 55 Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectionalview4 on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a lock casing of well own construction, showinga fure0 ther modication of our improvementv in self` ej'ecting keys inserted and retained therein, it being noted that in this disclosure the lock is assumed to be in unlocked position.

Fig. 8 is a dissembled view of thef f orm of our invention shown in Fig.l 7 showing the spring, ejector cylinder and locking sleeve to be associated therewith.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing the assembled mechanism of the form of our invention shown in Figs. 7 and 8, in its normal forward position.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing a further modification of our invention as applied to another type of key.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the key .and ejector mechanism .shown in Fig. 10, showing the ejector cylinder in the position it assumes when the key is -inserted within a lock to unlock the same, and 80 Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view on the line 12-,12 of Fig. 10.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts4 throughout the several ,views, the numeral 1 85 designates the face plate of a 'cylinder lock of standard construction suitably mounted 'on an escutcheon plate or othersu port 2. The face plate 1 is provided with t e usual ke hole through which a key is adapted to ge inserted to lock or unlock the mechanism which the key is adapted to control. All of the above construction is old and well known in the art and forms no part of our present invention. A 95 The form of our invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, comprises a key 3 ridged or grooved and otherwise formedto operate the tumbler or other mechanism of itsassociated lock,

said key -terminating at its rear end in a loo 'attened ortion 4. A coiledv compression ejector cylinder 6 is provided to surround the fio ment or the 4being provided with an opening n which the tumbler-operating portion of t eslidable. j The rear end of this.

key 3 and to enclose the compression spring 5 mounted thereon, the forward closed' end` of this e'ector c linder 6 constituting an abutgorward end of the sprin 5, and 7 t rou h key 3 is freel ejector cylin er 6 is open and is provided with external screw threads 8. AAt diametrically oppositesides of the cylinder is a longitudinal slot 9, extending from the o en end thereof to a point near the forwar end of the cylinder, the flattened portion '4 of the key being slidable within these slots 9.

The :flattened portion 4 of the keyis welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the rear end of'an operating sleeve 10 having an internal diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the e 'ector cylinder 6 and having its outer surface urled or roughened to prof vide a surface adapted to be engaged by the operators fingers. Theejectorcylinder 6 has its rear or open end closed by a suitable cap 11, which screws on to the threads 8 at the rear end of the ejector cylinder 6. and which is preferably provided with an eyelet or the like to permit the key to be attached to a keyring or key pack. j

ln assembling' this-form of our invention, thecoiledcompresison spring 5 is placed within the ejector cylinder 6, the key 8 and its' at-` tached operating sleeve 10 is inserted within the open end of the ejector cylinder 6 with the tumbler-operating end of thekey 3 projecting slightly beyond the forward end of the cylinder and the flattened portion 4 of the key sliding inthe diametrically opposite slots 9. llhe cap 11 is then screwed on thethreads 8, and this complet-es the assembling operation, it being noted that the association of parts is such that the spring 5 normally functions to maintain the key within the cylinder and that the key may be projected from the cylinder by grasping Athe knurledl operating sleeve 10 and moving the same longitudinally along the ejector cylinder 6.

ln the form of our invention shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the construction and method of assembly is substantially the same as that previously described except for the omission of the opera-ting sleeve 10. ln this modification, the key 8 is provided with an enlarged iiattened handle 4 at its rear vend which extends into and through the longitudinal slots 9, Where it may be grasped by the operators ingers to project the key from the ejector cylinder 6. 'Ihel flattened portion 4 of the key may be undercut as shown at 12 in Fig. 5, so that the said iiattened portion may be'moved along the cylinder 6 beyond the forward ends of the -slots 9 in the ejector cylinder 6.

In the forms of our inventionI shown in Figs. 7 tov 12 inclusive, the operating or handengaging portion of the vkey extends l axially from the rear end of the e'eotor cylinder instead of-radially through time sides thereof as shown in Figs.'1 to 6 inclusive. Referring to Figs. 7, 8, and 9, the key minating at its rear en in a flattened handle 14 fand having its forward end ridged or .grooved and otherwise formed to operate the tumblers or other mechanism. of the associated lock. At or near the center of the key shank there is formed integrally, or otherwise rigidly secured thereto, an annular collar 16 which extends transverselyr of the key and slightly beyond. the surface thereof. A. coiled compression spring 17 of an expandedilength approximately equal to the distance from the collar 16 to the forward end of the key, surrounds the tubular-operating portion 5 of the key and has its end convolution abutting the annular shoulder 16. An ejector cylinder 18 has a shank 13, ter-l` is provided to surround the tumbler-'operating portion 15 of the key and to enclose the compression spring 17 mounted thereon, the rear end of this cylinder being open and being provided lwith external screw threads 19. The forward closed end of this ejector --cylinder is provided with an opening 20 corresponding in shape and size to the grooves, ridges'or other formations of the tumbler-operating portion 15 of the key, whereby said portion is freely slidable through the said opening, it

being noted that the internal diameter of said cylinder is slightly greater than the diameter of the annular collar 16. Mounted on the rear portion of the key shank 13 is a sleeve 21 internally threaded to engage the external threads 19 of the ejector cylinder 18, and having an end opening of a size slightly less than the diameter of the annular collar 16 and slightly greater than the rear portion of the llO key shank 13, whereby said sleeve is freely slidable along said shank between the'v collar 16 and the handle portion 14.

rIhe parts above described are assembled as clearly shown in Fig. 9of the accompanying drawings, the spring 17 surrounding the tumbler-operating portion 15 and being confined between the annular collar 16 and thee ,cylinder against the pressure of the spring 17.

`Referring to the form of our invention shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12, it will be notedV that the invention isshown as applied to an ordinary and common type of house key hav# the center of the key shank there is formed' e integrally or otherwise rigidly secured there- 'tor cylinder 18a V tioned end opening of a size slightly to, a disk 16 which extends transversely of the key and is eccentrically disposed with relation to the axis of the key shank. A coiled compression' spring 17 a of an expanded length approximately equal tothe distance from' the disk 16a to thel forward end of the key, sur rounds the forward portion of the'key shank and is confined between said disk and the'forward closed end of an ejector cylinder' 18l whose internal diameter is slightly greater than the diameter of thedisk 16.' This ejec is provided at its rear open end with external screw threads 19a and has its forward closed end provided with an open ing 20? corresponding'in shape and size to the grooves, ridges or other formations of the lock-operating portion 15a, wherebysaid portion is freely slidable through saidopening.` ,y Mounted on the rear portion of the key shank 13a is a sleeve 21a internally threaded to engage the external threads 19 of the ejector cylinder 18a and having an eccentrically-posigreater than the diameter of the key shank 13a,

' mechanism,

whereby said sleeve is freely slidable along said shank between the collar 16a and the handle 14. The parts constituting this form of our invention are assembled and function in a manner similar to that described in connection with the device shown in Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive and as clearly shown in Fig. 10.

Referring to the operation of the several forms of our invention herein shown and de scribed, .and assuming that the key is to be used to open or unlock its associated lock the key is inserted into the keyhole of the lock andthe shank pushed inwardly until the lock engaging portions 3, 15 or 15a are inv properposition to actuate the lock mechanism. The key is then turned to the right or left and the lock mechanism is thereby actuated. The movement of the key into the lock causes the forward end of the ejector cylinder 6,18 or 18*to abut against the face plate 1 of the lock and the continued inward movement of the key effected by the operating sleeve 10, or thev handle portion 4,

' 14 or 14a, forces said `cylinder rearwardly along the key against the pressure of the compression springv 5, 17 or 17". When'the key is moved inwardly the properI distance and turned to the right or left to actuate the mechanism of the lock, saidkey is retained 16", functions to'return the within the lock and cannot be,withdrawn untilit is returned to the initial position. As

soon as this initial position is attained the key is free to be withdrawn from the lock and the forcibly eject a key from its associated lockv mechanism, it finds particular application in connection with key controlled switch mech anisms of the type usually used on automobiles to control the ignition system of the internal combustion engine propellingtsaid vehicle. In suchv key controlled ignition system," it is customary to have the ignition switch controlled by a lock, linto which a key may be inserted and turned to move the switch into thel on position. In such construction the key is retained in the lock casingby the lock structure and cannot be withdrawn therefrom until moved to turn the switch to the off position. Motorists frequently turn the key /to the olf position and inadvertently leave the key in the lock when leaving the automobile and, hence many automobiles are stolen in this way;` The novel form of key ejector mechanismy covered in departing from the spirit of our invention or the scope of the subj'oined claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. An ejector mechanism for keys comprising a cylinder slidziblej along the key shank, an abutment on the key shank, and a spring interposed between the abutment and the forward end of the cylinder for normally retaining the cylinder over the tumbler-engaging portion of the key shank.

2. An ejector mechanism for keys comprising a cylinder slidable along the key shank. an abutment on the key shank, and a coiled compression spring surrounding the key shank within thecylinder and interposed between the abutment and the forward end of I over the tumbler-engaging portion of the ke shank, and means for moving the'key slian axially against the action of the 'sprin to project the tumbler-engaging portion o the key shank from the forward end of the cylinder.

ing a cylinder slidable along the key shank and normally surrounding the tumbler-engaging portion thereof, an abutmentl on the key shank, a compression sprinfr interposed between the abutment and the forward end of the cylinder, and means for moving the abutment toward the forward end of the cylindei against the action of said spring when it is desired to project the tumbler-engaging ortion of the key shank from the orward end of tlie cylinder.

5. An ejector mechanism for keys comprising a cylinder slidable along the key shank, the forward end of said cylinder being slotted to permit the tumbler-engaging portion of the key shank to be projected therethrough, an abutment on the key shank, a spring interposed between the abutment and the forward end of said cylinder for normally retaining the cylinder over the tumbler-engagingjportion of the keyv shank with only a small section of the tumbler-engaging portion of the key shank normally projecting through the slot at the forward end of the cylinder, and means for moving the key shank axially against the action of the spring to project the remaining section of the tumblerengaging portion of the key shank 4from the forward end of the said cylinder.

6. An ejector mechanism for keys comprising a cylinder slidable along vthe key shank and of a length corresponding substantially to the length of the tumbler-engaging portion of the key shank, said cylinder having a slotted forward end through which the tumbler-engaging portion of the key shank may extend and having itsV rear end screwthreaded, an abutment on the key shank at the rear of the tumbler-engaging portion thereo, a sleeve in rear of the abutment and screwthreaded to engage the threads on the rear end of the cylinder, and a coiled spring within the cylinder between the abutment and the for-ward end of the cylinder for normally retaining the cylinder over the tumbler-engaging portion of the key shank.

7 An ejector mechanism Jfor keys comprising a cylinder surrounding the key and having its side wall providedwith a longitudinal slot, a spring for normally retaining the .cylinder over the tumbler-engaging portion of the key, and means extending through thevslot and slidable therein for projecting the key from the cylinder against the pressure of the spring.

8. An ejector mechanism for keys coml prising a cylinder surrounding the key and having its side walls provided with a longil 4. An ejector mechanism for keys compris- Amangeait' tudinal slot, a spring lfor normally retaining the cylinder over the tumbler-engaging portion of. the key, and an abutment von the key extending through the slot and slidable therein for projecting the4 key from the cylinder against the pressure of t e spring.

9. `An` ejector mechanism for keys comprising a cylinder surrounding the key and havin its side walls provided with a. longitudi-v na slot, a spring for normally retaining the cylinder over the tumbler-engaging portion of the key, an abutment on the key extending through the slot and slidable therein, and an an operating sleeve connected to said abutment and slidable along the cylinder for projecting the key from the cylinderagainst the pressure'of the spring.

In testimony whereof we hereunto aliix our signatures.

ARTHUR E. MILLER. CHARLES H. J OHNSGN 

